History for the Curious Podcast
1) #171: Ramban I - The Early Conflicts (1194-1270)
By the 13th century, Spain was becoming a more uncomfortable place for Jews, partly due to communal structure. Ramban will engage in dampening the flames of controversy both about the Rambam and rega...Show More
2) #170: Holocaust Shadows IV - Survivors, Liberators & Rescuers
Many Jews were reluctant first-hand witnesses to Nazi cruelty and suffering. For many Hungarian survivors, often deliberately misled about the truth of Auschwitz's existence, betrayal only added t...Show More
3) #169: Holocaust Shadows III - Survivors
We speak of 'Holocaust Survivors' without understanding what they survived, without knowing the trauma and guilt they carried. A young 16-year-old girl was taken through the cruelty of Auschwitz - an...Show More
4) #168: Holocaust Shadows II - The Forgeries
Despite being a Western country, Holland almost equalled the East in its destructiveness during the Holocaust. 2 non-Jews created their own narrative by bypassing the system. One took great risks, the...Show More
5) #167: Holocaust Shadows I: The Forger
Hidden away in a tiny attic in Paris, a Jew created freedom for thousands by forging Identity cards, ration books and travel passes. Hunted by Nazis, his genius and dedication came with enormous risk....Show More
6) #166: Jerusalem III : 1099-1568
In the Medieval period, Jerusalem was repeatedly fought over and at times only 2 Jews lived there. Yet there were always those who braved making Aliya including Ramban, Bartenura and Rav Yechiel of Pa...Show More
7) #165 : Jerusalem II: 638-1098
How do we relate to the most recent events in the Middle-East? In 638 the Moslems transformed the city; but what was their motivation? What created the divisions of Jewish observance in the 10th centu...Show More
8) #164: Jerusalem I: 70-636CE
What does Yerushalayim represent? How does the current conflict with Iran impact upon that? Were the Jews expelled from Jerusalem after the Temple was destroyed? Why did the Romans rebuild the city?...Show More
9) #163: Oral Law II - Who is Right? Who is a Scholar?
The existence of an Oral Law brought about debate and argument. So why not preserve it all in the Written text alone? And how do we decide who is right? Who makes that decision? Are all Rabbis equall...Show More
10) #162: The Oral Law (Torah She'Baal Peh) I - Definitions
How do we classify the various sections of the Oral Law (Torah She'Baal Peh)? Is the Oral Law Rabbinic or Biblical? Why do we need an Oral Law? How was it transmitted through the generations? Why d...Show More